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White Ash vs Blue Ash

This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.

White and blue ashes are sometimes confused where their ranges overlap, due to a similar leaf shape, but they are easily distinguished at any time of year by the winged, square stem of the blue ash, a feature that white ash lacks.

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)

A tree species native to eastern North America, found on mesic sites in early to mid stages of forest succession.
A tree native to the midwest to central US, the blue ash is easily identified by its peculiar square stem.
Twigs and small branches are round and lack wings.
Photo © Charlie Inyo, CC BY 4.0.
Twigs and small branches are conspicuously square, with "wings" along the corners.
Photo © askalotl, Public Domain.

References & External Resources

These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)

Fraxinus americana | Go Botany (About This Site)

No corresponding entry

Fraxinus americana (White Ash) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)

Fraxinus quadrangulata (Blue Ash) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)

White Ash | Virginia Tech Dendrology Factsheets (About This Site)

Blue Ash | Virginia Tech Dendrology Factsheets (About This Site)

Fraxinus americana | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)

Fraxinus quadrangulata | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)